Turbine



Dec. l23, 1930. Ev N; FALES 11,786,057

TURB'INE Filed July 14, 1924 2 sheetssheet 1 Dec. 23,1930.

TURBINE 2 sheets-sheet 2 l Filed July -14 a 9 4.@ 4 W7* n l f I Wh Wl- WA :E

Patented Dec. 2 3. 1930 PATENT oFFlcE UNITED STATES ELISHA IYYALES, FDAYTON, OHIO TURBINE Application sled .my 14, 1924. serial Nu. 725,894.

is, a turbine in which a low Wind velocityVV may becausedjtp/produceafrelatively high revolution speed of the shaft driventhereby.

Another object of the invention is to provide a turbine having apropeller provided with means `for automatically re-A ducing theetliciency or tip speed ratio of the propeller when excessive .windvelocities are impressed upon the propeller in order to prevent undueincrease in speed of the propeller shaft.

Still another object ofthe invention is to provide in a turbine having apropeller whose driving surface is or may be unsymmetrically positionedabout the axis of turbine revolution, a construction andarrangement suchas to inherently or automatically prevent lateral bending strains uponthe propeller shaft under all conditions of operation.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the followingdescription taken in connection with the accompanying draw- A ings in`which z Fig. 1 is an elevation of a turbine havingy a single propellerpivoted to the propeller shaft on an axis substantially at right anglesto theaxis of the propeller blade.

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, parts being shown inelevation.

Figs. 3 and 4 are side and end elevations respectively of a turbinehavingtwo propellers.

la Fig. 5 'is a side elevation, with parts bro-- lien away, of apropeller pivoted about an axis substantially parallel with the axis ofthe propeller blade;

Fig. 6 is apart sectional and part eleva tional view of a tWo-bladedpropeller having a universal connection with the propeller shaft.

Fig. 7 is an elevation of a propeller similar to Fig. G-having but asingle main working blade. r V

Fig. 8 is an end view of Fig. 5 and.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of a propeller blade having modified meansfor reducing the eh'iciency thereof.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, 20 denotes a 5 propeller having a singleblade 21 and a. counter-weight 22, the counter-weight being herein shownas having the general outlines of a portion of a propeller blade, al-

though it will'be understood that the coun- 60V ter-weight may take anydesired form. The propeller is secured at its hub to a supporting plate23 having lugs 24 receiving therebetween the squared end of a sleeve orshaft 25, a pivot pin 26 connecting the shaft with 65 the propeller asshown.

The blade of the propeller isV `.designed with a very small blade pitchwhereby a relatively small -wind velocity will cause a rapid or highspeed revolution of the propeller and the shaft 25. The best resultsthus far obtained have resulted from a vpropeller having a pitch of 3degrees at the tip increasing to 10 degrees at the hub, while goodresults are obtainable from propellers having a pitch at i the blade tipwhich may vary from 0 to 10 degrees, the corresponding pitch at the hubvarying from 10 to 30 degrees. It` will be understood that thesedimensions may be varied as desired to meet different conditions. 'It 80has been found, also, as regards the shape of the blade that it isdesirable that the blade should extend from the tip to the hub ofthepropeller, and further it has been found that the best results areobtainable in a blade in which the radius or length of the blade bearsthe ratio to the blade width of approximately s'iX to one, although hereagain it is obvious that this ratio i-s susceptible of some variation inthe hands of a person skilled in the art. The shaft 25 may be supportedin suitable bearings and operatively connected with any apparatus to bedriven thereby. In the present application the 4propeller is illustratedas mounted on the shaft of generator 27. It will be apparent that thehigh speed wind turbine herein disclosed, where'-A in a 'shaft speed ofsay 500 or 1000 R. P. M. may be produced with a Wind velocity of Vabout15 miles per hour, is particularly sutwo I able for driving suchapparatus as electric generators, which may be designed to operateeffectively at the shaft speeds mentioned.

It has been stated that an object of the invention is to provide asingle blade propeller which does not transmit lateral bending strainsto the propeller shaft under any operating condition. This object may beaecomplished by pivotally mounting the propeller upon the propellershaft so as to permit rotational or backward and forward movement of thepropeller about the axis of the pin 26 which lies in the plane of thepropeller passing through the center of gra-vity thereof and which pinis disposed substantially at right angles both to the longitudinal axisof the propeller blade and the axis of the shaft 25. Of course, thepropeller is so constructed and mount-ed that its center of gravity liesin the axis of the shaft 25. rI`he centers of gravity of the blade 21and the counter-weight 22 may be assumed to be at the points 28 and 29respectively at some distance from the axis of the propeller shaft 25.Upon revolution of the propeller the blade 21 and the counterweight 22tend to rotate about the pin 26 in such a direction that their centersof gravity 28 and 29 respectively will lie in a plane at right angles tothe axis of the shaft 25,

as indicated by the arrows passing through 28 and 29. The plane justreferred to is indicated by the lines 80, 31 passing through the axis ofthe pin 26. However, the force of the Wind on the propeller blade 21,which may be termed the aerodynamic force, tends to thrust the blad-ebackwardly out of the plane 30, 31 until there is a balance betweenthe'aerodynamic force of the wind and the centrifugal force of therotating propeller tending to move the propeller into the plane 30, 31.

The position of the propeller wh-en driving a load under the infiuenceof a 15 mile Wind may be assumed to be the position illustrated in thedrawing. Now should the load increase, causing the propeller to slowdown, the centrifugal forces will decrease, and it is obvious that thepropeller blade will move backwardly under the influence of theaerodynamic thrust' taking position slightly back of the positionillustrated. It will be observed from the above description that thepropeller assumes various balanced positions in accordance withvariations in the driving Wind or the load; and it does so withouttransmitting to the shaft 25 any bending strains such as would tend tocause vibration.

The pressure of the wind on the propellerl thus offset against thecentrifugal forces of the material, therefore results in a simple thrustpressure along the shaft 25.

In the above description it has been assumed that the aerodynamic forcesupon the counter-Weight 22 are negligible. However,

appreciable, and the propeller may then be considered as having twoblades of unequal A surface, and the aerodynamic forces as beingunsymmetrically distributed on the propeller. The means herein disclosedfor relieving the shaft of bending strains is adequate forcounter-balancing any unsymmetrical distribution of the aerodynamicforces on the propeller whether the latter is of the type known as thesingle bladed type or whether' it is of the nlultibladed type. lVhilethe counterbalancing action is herein described as takin r place as aresult of the movement ofthe blade about a pivotal axis, it is obviousthat any means which permits movement of the center of gravity of ablade to efl'ect the counterbalancing action herein described comeswithin the spirit of the present invention, and further it is apparentthat the blade or propeller need not necessarily be pivoted to the shaftbut may have inherent flexibility' or be otherwise constructed to effectthe desired result.

Fig. 5 shows a form of the invention in which the propeller 40 ispivotally connected with the propeller shaft 41 by a pin 42 which isdisposed longitudinally of the axis of the propeller blade. As shown inFig. 8 the propeller is provided with counter-weights 43 and 44 whichlie on opposite sides of the central plane of the propeller, and whichhave the tendency, upon revolution of the propeller, to turn thepropeller about the axis of the pin 42. At normal wind pressures thisform of the propeller may be assumed to take approximately the positionshown in Figs. 5 and 8. However, with excessive wind velocitiesresulting in increasing speed of the propeller shaft, thecounter-weights 43 and 44 come into action by reason of theircentrifugal force to rotate the blade in a clock-wise direction asindicated by the arrow in Fig. 8. The pitch of the upper blade 45 isthus increased thereby tending to reduce the speed of the propeller. Thepitch of the lower blade 46 is decreased and the blade is moved out ofits position of maximum efficiency. The effect of rotation of thepropeller' about the axis 42 is thus seen to decrease the efficiency ofthe propeller as a whole thereby reducing to some extent the effect ofhigh wind velocities which might cause damage to the wind turbine itselfor to the apparatus driven by the propeller shaft 41.V lt will be seenthat this apparatus provides means for automatically reducing the tipspeed ratio of the propeller, that is, the ratio of the tip speed to thewind speed.'

Figs. (5 and 7 illustrate a form of the invention *embodying both of therotational move- -ments disclosed in Figs. 1 and 5, that is, the

propeller 47 may rotate about auaxs at right angles to the lon 'tudinalaxis of' the propellet blade and a so about an axis coincident with theIon'gitudinal -laxis of the propeller blade. This freedom of motion isobtained by providing. the propeller with al1-ub having asphericalsoclret-or bea-ring surface 48 which is adapted to receivetherein the cooperating spherical bal-149 carriedb'yfthe shaft 50.Motion is transmited from the propeller 47 to the shaft 50 by means of asuitable spring 5].

which is non-rotatably secured tothe shaft- 50 and which is connected atits ends by means of links 52 to the hub portion of the propeller theconnection being such as to hold the propeller in normal position withrespect tothe longitudinal axis of the propeller blades, but to permitrotation about this axis when centrifugal force overcomes the springrestraint,

or to permit rotation about an axis at right angles to the axis of thepropeller blades. Fig. 7 shows a single bladed propeller similar to thetwo bladed propeller disclosed in F ig. 6, one of the propeller'bl'adesbeing shortened or otherwise of special form and provided with a weight53 to form a counter-weight for thel other blade.

Fig. 9 shows an alternative means for reducing the eHiciency or tipspeed ratio of a propeller blade upon an undesirable increase in thespeed of revolution in the propeller 1as a result of increased wind'velocity impressed 'upon the propeller. The blade 55 is provided with apassage or opening 56 extending through the blade from the front to therear surface thereof. The end of the passage is closed at normal` speedby a plate of spring material 57 fastened at one end and lying flushwith the front surface of the blade, and

the rear opening of the passage' is normally closed by a light fin 58pivoted at 59 and lving in the rear surface of the blade. A flexithe airencountersltoa. 'minimum-'extent the wake of the other'bl'ade'. Theblade 32 may be mounted directly upon the shaft 34 or upon -a sleeve'secured to the'shaft; in the manner illustrated' in Figs.. 6 and 7. Thepropeller 33 is mounted upon' a sleever35. which 'is freeto rotate. orslide on shaft 34, connected thereto only b means of a coiled spring 36,the sleeve 35 being free to rotate upon the shaft except as it islimited b the spring 36. The blades 32 and 33 are erein shown asdisposed at au angle of 180 degrees from one lanother which may beassumed to be their relative position when the, apparatusis at rest.During normal operation in a wind of say 15 miles per hour the pressureof the wind upon the blade 33 causesit-to advance or rotatewith respectto the shaft 34 and to' assume a position with its axis on the line 34,37. The blade 33lis now behind the blade 32, as viewed in Fig. 4, to theextent indicated by thevangle 38, 34, 37. If this relative position ofthe Vblades 32 land 33 is assumed to be the one developing maximum powerfor given load and wind values then it is obvious that any movement ofthe blade 33 from the line 34, 37 will result in such interferencev asto decrease the output of the two blades or in other words to decreasethe eiciency or tip speed ratio of the two blades. Advantage'is taken ofthis to reduce the effect of a high wind velocity or pressure such aswould result in excessive speed of the unit. The operation under highwind pressures 'is illustrated in Fig. 4 wherein the blade 33 is assumedto have advanced to the position indicated by the line 34, 39 in whichposition the blades 32 and 33 develop less power than when they aredisposed at the angle 38, 34, 37. Suitable yielding means may beprovided to hold the turbine blades normally in relation-38, 34,'

` ble connection or cable 60 is connected be- 37 tween lthe plate 57 andthe pin 58 as illustrated. Upon excessive speed of the blade in thedirection indicated by the arrow 61, the free end of the spring member57 moves out of the front surface of the blade and holds the fin 58 inan angular position which may vary according to the speed of revolutionof the pro peller, thereby introducing excessiveY resistance to themotion of the blade and reducing its eiciency. Means is -thus providedfor au- Atomatically reducing the eiciency 'of the pro4- pellertoprevent any undue increase .in thev revolution speed or IR. y P.. M. of'the Awind turbine or of the apparatus vdriven by the tur-Y bineandpossibly causing damage thereto.v

Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate a' form of wind turl binev having twopropellers 32 and 33 mounted upon the propeller shaft 34, the Propellersbeing arranged to revolve in offset or parallel planes, and in suchrelation with one another that there is a minmum of mutualinterferencebetween` the two propellers; that is, so that each blade, in its helicalmotion through While the forms ofapparatus herein def scribed constitutepreferred embodiments of the invention, it is to' be understood that theinvention is not limitedto these precise forms of apparatus, and thatchanges` may be made in elther without departing from the scope tudinalaxis of the blades and laving such `unsymmetrical distribution of itsmassv and form with relation to the axis of said shaft as toautomatically counter-balance variously changing aerodynamic forces uponthe propeller` which are ulisymmetrically distributed relative to theaxis of said shaft.

2.- An air driven propeller of the class described having a plurality ofaerofoil blades "differing 1n size and having their centers of,'Vfiiavity respectively at different distances ffiio'm the axis ofrevolution, the propeller havthrust forces on the propellen to pro-",duce a resultant propeller force 1n line with the axis of rotation.

'An air driven propeller of the class described having an aerofoil bladeon one side "of the propeller axis and a Weight member on the other sidethereof, said blade and 'iveight member difering in size and havingtheir centers of gravity respectively at different distances from theaxis of revolution, means pivotally supporting said blade and weightmember for movement about an axis angularly related to both thepropeller axis and the blade axis, the propeller having suchunsynnnetrical distribution of its mass and form as to automaticallycounterbalance unsymmetrieally distributed aerodynamic thrust forces onthe propeller to produce a resultant propeller force in line with theaxis of rotation.

4. ln an air driven propeller of the class described having a pluralityof rigidly connected aerofoil blades, a shaft, means for pivotallyconnecting the propeller With the shaft to rotate about an axissubstantially coincident with the longitudinal axis of a blade and aboutanother axis angularly related to the shaft axis, the distribution ofthe masses of the blades and the-blade form being such thatunsymmetrical aerodynamic thrust forces on the propeller blades When setat different angles will produce a resultant propeller forcesubstantially in line' ivith the axis of rotation.

5. ln an air driven propeller of the class described having a pluralityof rigidly connected aerofoil blades, a shaft, means for pivotallyconnecting the propeller with the shaft to rotate about an axissubstantially coincident with the longitudinal axis of a blade and aboutanother axis angularly related to the shaft axis, the distribution ofthe masses of the blades and the blade form being such thatunsymmetrical aerodynamic thrust forces on the propeller when setL at4different angles \vill produce a resultant propeller forcesubstantiallyin line With the axis of rotation, and means exerting a positioningforce on said blades.

6.. In an apparatus of the character described, a shaft, a iuid drivenpropeller on the shaft having a blade, and means for pivotally mountingthe propeller. on the shaft for rotation about an axis angularly relatedto the shaft axis and transverse to the longitudinal axis of the blade.

7. In an apparatus of the character described, a shaft, an air drivenpropeller on the shaft having a blade, means for pivotally mounting thepropeller forrotation about an axis substantially transverse to both theshaft and the longitudinal axis of the blade, said propeller having suchunsymn'ietrical distribution of both mass and form with relation to theaxis of rotation as to automati cally counterbalance unsymli'ietricallydistributed air thrust forces on the propeller at different positions onsaid first axis for the production of a resultant propeller force inline with the axis of rotation.

8. ln an apparatus of the character described, a shaft, an air drivenpropeller on the shaft having a blade, means for pivotally mounting thepropeller for rotation about an axis substantially transverse to boththe shaft and the longitudinal axis of the blade, and also for rotationabout the longitudinal axis of the blade, said propeller having suchunsymmetrical distribution ofboth mass and form with relation to theaxis of rotation as to automatically .couuterbalance unsynlmetricallydistributed air thrust forces on the propeller at diii'erent attitudeson the shaft for the production of a resultant propeller force in'linewith the axis of rotation.

9. In an apparatus of the character (lescribed, a shaft, a plurality offluid driven propellers mounted on the shaft to revolve in separateareas which are axially displaced along the shaft, the propellers beingcommensurate in size so as to have a large overlap in the fluid areasoperating thereon, and means for automatically varying the distancebetween the blade of one propeller and the blade of another propeller inaccord ance with the aerodynamic forces on the blades.

10. A Wind driven propeller comprising a plurality of blades adapted torotate about an axis transverse to the axis of rotation of thepropeller, and centrifugal force means for tending to increase the angleof attack of one blade and decrease the angle of attack of the other.

11. In an apparatus of the character de scribed, a shaft,` a Huid drivenpropeller on the shaft having a blade adapted to revolve in a plane atright angles to the axis of the shaft, and means for pivotally mountingthe propeller on the shaft for movement about an axis substantially atright angles to the axis of the shaft and angularly related to the bladeaxis, said second mentioned axis lying in the plane of the propellerwhich passes through the center of gravity thereof, and said propellerhaving such unsymmetrical distribution of its mass or form as toautomatieallv counterbalance unsymmetrically distributed aerodynamicforces upon the propeller.

12. In an apparatus of the character dcseribed, a multi-bladed fluiddriven propeller having its blades rigidly connected together, a shaft,means for pivotally connecting the propeller with said shaft to rotateabout an Lxis extending substantially lengthwise of a )ropeller blade,and means for exerting vari- )us forces on said blades tending to turnthem rbout said axis to increase the angularity of )ne blade anddecrease the angularity of the Jther.

13. In an apparatus of the character described, a multi-bladed fluiddriven propeller :laving its blades rigidly connected together, i shaft,means for pivotally connecting the propeller with said shaft to rotateabout' the longitudinal axis ot one of the blades, and about anotheraxis angularly related to the shaft axis, and additional means exertinga positioning torce on said blades.

14C. In an apparatus of the character described, a multi-bladedtluiddriven propeller having its blades rigidly connected together, a shaft,means for pivotally connecting the propeller with said shaft to rotateabout an axis transverse to the axis of said shaft, and means forexerting various 'forces on said blades tor governing the position ofthe propeller on said shaft.

l5.' ln an apparatus of the character de- F scribed, a multi-bladed Winddriven propeller` having its blades rigidly connected together, an axialsupport for the propeller, means tor dissimilarly varying the pitch ofthe several blades, and spring means for exerting varions Y :forcestending to maintain the blades at the same pitch.

16. ln an apparatus of the character described, a mnlti-bladed propellerhaving its blades rigidly connected together, an axial support for thepropeller, means connecting said propeller to said support tor movementabout a plurality ot axes thereon and spring means actingv on saidpropeller to con trol its movement about the said axes and govern theposition et said propeller on said axial support.

surfaces forming a universal joint carried propellers mounted on theshaft to revolve in separate planes at right angles to the axis of theshaft, and means for automatically varying the angular distance betweenthe blade of one propeller andthe blade of another propeller inaccordance with the areodynamic. forces on the blades. e

In testimony whereof I hereto affix my signature.

ELISHA N. FALES.

17. ln an apparatnsot the character described, a multi-bladed air drivenpropeller having its blades rigidly connected together., an axialsupporttor the propeller, andweight means carried by the propeller foranto- Inatically changing-the pitch ot' the blades according to thevelocity otrevolution ot' the propeller to increase the angularity ol"one blade while decreasing the angularity of another.

18. ln an apparatus of the character described, a bladed wind drivenpropeller, a 'shaft therefor. and means for supporting the propeller onthe shaft for universal movement thereon.

19. In an apparatus of the character described, a bladed -wind drivenpropeller, a shaft therefor, and means for movably connecting thepropeller with theshaft Vfor movement thereon about a plurality of axest6 automatically counterbalance unsymmetrically distributed forces, saidconnecting means having cooperating spherical bearing

